JP2019504803A - Leaching packet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a deployable leaching packet (1, 5), which is in a continuously compressed state in the absence of water and is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water.

Description

  The present invention relates to leaching packets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a brewing packet (such as a tea bag) that expands to take a three-dimensional shape when immersed in water.

  For many years, leaching packets (eg, tea bags) are typically flat and predominantly as square or round sheets of porous filter material with leachable material (eg, tea leaves) sandwiched between the sheets. Was available. Such a packet substantially limits the movement of leachable material in the leach packet to two dimensions. As a result, the leaching performance of such packets is limited.

  Recently, mass-produced leach packets with a more three-dimensional state have been growing. In particular, a tetrahedral shaped packet whose production method is described in WO 95/01907 (Unilever) has been successful. This type of leaching packet is believed to improve leaching performance by expanding the room for leachable material to move.

  Multiple leaching packets are usually packaged and sold together in a carton. For example, PG Tips pyramid tea bags are sold in cartons containing 20, 40, 80, 160 or 240 tea bags. The disadvantage of providing 3D leaching packets is that they have a larger volume than 2D packets and as a result cannot be packaged for efficient sales.

  Efforts have been made to provide a three-dimensional leaching packet having a flat shape for packing.

  EP 0053204 (Unilever) discloses a tea bag having a generally tetrahedral shape with at least one fold that allows it to be folded into a flat shape. Pulling means attached to the bag facilitates deployment of the bag.

  WO 2013/174710 (Unilever) discloses a leaching packet that includes a town that is substantially flat prior to use and that can expand when immersed in the leaching solution to assume a more three-dimensional shape. Yes.

  In European Patent No. 084632 (Fusan Sangyo Co., Ltd.), a liquid-permeable flexible material that is folded so that it can be easily accommodated in an external package and expanded during extraction to expand the internal space of the bag body. A sex bag body is disclosed.

  Such a flattened (or undeployed) configuration of the brewing packet is realized by folding the 3D brewing packet in a defined manner. The three-dimensional shape that the brewing packet is intended to take in use necessarily affects the shape of their flattened configuration. Furthermore, in order to facilitate mass production of such brewed packets, the flattened configuration must be feasible with a relatively simple folding pattern. Thus, the deployable leach packets described in the prior art have a very limited number of shapes possible in an undeployed configuration.

  Therefore, there remains room to provide a brewing packet configuration that provides leaching performance associated with 3D packets and can be packaged for sale in a more convenient and / or more efficient manner than current ones.

International Publication No. 95/01907 EP 0053204 specification International Publication No. 2013/174710 European Patent No. 084632 European Patent No. 0811562 International Publication No. 2012/095247 International Publication No. 2005/051797 International Publication No. 95/01907 International Publication No. 2004/033303 International Publication No. 2002/004169

  In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a deployable leach packet, wherein the leach packet is in a continuously compressed state in the absence of water and is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water.

  The compressed nature of such leaching packets means that they can be packaged conveniently and efficiently. This is from an environmental point of view because less secondary packaging material is required to wrap a given number of leaching packets (eg when compared to a standard leaching packet with essentially the same deployed state). It is advantageous.

  In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a package comprising a plurality of deployable infusion packets according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a deployable leach packet according to the first aspect of the invention.

  In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a deployable leach packet according to the first aspect of the invention obtainable by the method of the third aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a deployable leaching packet that is in a continuously compressed state in the absence of water and is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water.

  As used herein, the term “sustained compression state” refers to a configuration that is intended to remain stable for an unspecified period of time. The structure of the brewing packet itself is continuously compressed and will not be converted to a deployed state in the absence of water. In other words, the brewing packet of the present invention does not rely on wrapping or similar secondary packaging to maintain its compressed configuration.

  When the brewed packets of the present invention are in a continuously compressed state, their constituent materials cannot be deployed simply by gently pulling and handling them. This is in contrast to a leached packet that is folded to achieve a flattened configuration, but easily takes on a more deployed configuration when treated as such, even in the absence of water. Is.

  The leaching packet of the present invention is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water. Although both hot and cold water induce this transformation, the time it takes for the leaching packet to take on the deployed state (all other parameters are equal) is usually faster in warm water than in cold water. Thus, the deployable brewing packet is suitable for preparing both hot and cold beverages.

  When the brewed packets of the present invention are in a continuously compressed state, they do not deform during handling and preferably have a substantially rigid structure. When they are deployed in the presence of water, they become deformable and preferably have a flexible structure (in other words, they preferably lose the stiffness they have in sustained compression).

  The time it takes for a leach packet to convert from a compressed state to a deployed state in the presence of warm water (eg, a temperature of 90-100 ° C.) is typically relatively fast, usually a few seconds. Thus, deployable brewing packets are particularly suitable for extracting beverages prepared with warm water, for example tea or herbal brewing liquid. Since consumers want to prepare such beverages as quickly and conveniently as possible, the total time taken to extract usually does not exceed 6 minutes. Therefore, in the presence of warm water, the leaching packet is converted from the compressed state to the expanded state in a time of preferably 30 seconds or less, more preferably 20 seconds or less, and most preferably 10 seconds or less.

  The deployable leach packet is also suitable for extracting beverages prepared in cold water (eg, iced tea extracted from Lipton® Cold Brew tea bags). The time it takes to extract such a beverage is typically longer than a warm beverage, for example 5 minutes or more. Thus, the rapid conversion of the brewed packet from the compressed state to the unfolded state is not as important as far as consumer acceptance is concerned. In the presence of cold water (eg, a temperature of 15-25 ° C.), the leaching packet is preferably at a time of 240 seconds or less, more preferably 180 seconds or less, more preferably 120 seconds or less, and most preferably 90 seconds or less. , Converted from the compressed state to the expanded state.

  The conversion of a deployable leach packet from a continuously compressed state to a deployed state results in a “rolling around” movement. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that this movement improves the leaching performance of the brewing packet.

  The deployable leach packet preferably includes a beverage precursor. The term “beverage precursor” as used herein refers to a manufactured composition suitable for preparing a beverage. The beverage precursor can be contacted with an aqueous liquid, such as water, to provide a beverage (ie, a substantially aqueous drinking composition suitable for human consumption). This process is called extraction. During extraction, the beverage precursor typically releases certain soluble substances, such as flavor and / or aroma molecules, into the aqueous liquid.

  The beverage precursor preferably comprises plant material, with tea and / or herb plant material being particularly preferred. As used herein, “tea plant material” refers to dry leaf and / or stem material from Camellia sinensis (ie, “leaf tea”). The term “herbal plant material” refers to a material commonly used as a precursor for herbal exudates. Preferably, the herbal plant material is selected from chamomile, cinnamon, elderflower, ginger, hibiscus, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, mint, rooibos, rosehip, vanilla and verbena. The beverage precursor may additionally or alternatively include fruit pieces (eg apples, blackcurrants, mangoes, peaches, pineapples, raspberries, strawberries etc.) and / or other flavor ingredients (eg bergamot, citrus peel, synthetic Flavor granules, etc.). The beverage precursor is preferably free of plant material that requires pressure for optimal extraction. In particular, it is preferred that the beverage precursor does not contain plant material derived from coffee (particularly ground coffee).

  Since a small amount is difficult to be accurately divided and supplied, the mass of the beverage precursor is preferably at least 1 g. More preferably, the mass is at least 1.2 g, most preferably at least 1.4 g. It is more preferable that the mass of the beverage precursor is less than 4 g since a large amount makes storage and / or handling inconvenient. More preferably, the mass is less than 3.5 g, most preferably less than 3 g.

  The deployable leach packet preferably has a first geometry in a continuously compressed state and a second geometry in the deployed state. The second geometric shape can be an expansion of the first geometric shape, but the first and second geometric shapes are preferably different. In other words, the leaching packet preferably has a specific geometry in a continuously compressed state and is converted to an unfolded state with a different geometry.

  For example, a leaching packet can have an essentially disk-like cylindrical shape in a compressed state (ie, the first geometric shape is a cylinder) and then in the deployed state by the addition of water. It can be converted to have an essentially tetrahedral structure (ie, the second geometry is a tetrahedron).

  The first geometry preferably has a first surface and a second surface associated along a length (L), the cross section along the length (L) is constant, It has the same shape as the first and second surfaces. The first surface and the second surface are preferably parallel to each other.

  The first geometric shape is preferably a cylinder or a prism.

  When the first geometric shape is a cylinder, the first surface and the second surface are circular or elliptical and are related by a curved surface along a length (L).

  When the first geometric shape is a prism, the first surface and the second surface are polygonal and have a length (L) by a plurality of connection surfaces separated from each other by a plurality of connection ends. Associated along. The connecting surface is preferably square or rectangular (that is, the prism is preferably a right prism). Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that in a less preferred configuration, the connecting surface may be a parallelogram (ie, the prism may be an oblique prism).

  The first and second faces can have any simple polygon (ie, a shape where the polygon boundary does not intersect itself). Such polygonal shapes can be concave or convex. Non-limiting examples of preferred polygonal shapes include triangles, quadrilaterals, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, nines, and decagons.

  The geometry and dimensions of the brewed packet in persistent compression determine how efficiently such multiple packets can be packaged.

  The first geometric shape preferably has a width (W), the width (W) being greater than or equal to the length (L).

  The width (W) is the widest dimension of the first or second surface in the plane perpendicular to the length (L). For example, for a cylinder with a circular cross section, the width (W) is the diameter of the circular cross section, and for a cylinder with an elliptical cross section, the width (W) is the major axis of the elliptical cross section. Similarly, in the case of a prism having a square cross section, the width (W) represents the diagonal of the square cross section.

  The length (L) of the cylindrical or prismatic leaching packet in continuous compression is preferably greater than 2 mm, more preferably greater than 3 mm, and most preferably greater than 4 mm. The length (L) is preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 18 mm or less, and most preferably 16 mm or less.

  The width (W) of a cylindrical or prismatic leaching packet in sustained compression is preferably greater than 14 mm, more preferably greater than 17 mm, and most preferably greater than 20 mm. The width (W) is preferably 45 mm or less, more preferably 40 mm or less, and most preferably 35 mm or less.

  The deployable leach packet preferably has a second geometric shape in the deployed state. As described above, the second geometric shape is preferably a shape different from the first geometric shape.

  Embodiments where the second geometry is essentially flat (eg, a leaching packet comprising leachable material sandwiched between square or circular sheets of porous material) are not excluded. However, such embodiments are less preferred since it is believed that this type of leaching packet will limit the movement of leachable material to substantially two dimensions, thereby limiting their leaching performance. Furthermore, packaging a plurality of such leaching packets is already relatively efficient due to their inherently flat nature.

  Accordingly, the second geometric shape is preferably a three-dimensional shape. The second geometric shape is not particularly limited, and may be an arbitrary three-dimensional shape. However, it is desirable that a leach packet having a second geometric shape can be easily mass produced. Accordingly, preferred examples of the second geometric shape include tetrahedrons, pyramids, hemispheres, spheres, cubes, and the like. It is particularly preferred that the second geometric shape is a sphere, hemisphere, tetrahedron or pyramid.

  The present invention assumes that a conventional leaching packet is compressed to realize a configuration in which the leaching packet is in a continuously compressed state. Non-limiting examples of conventional leaching packets are described in EP 081 562 (Unilever), WO 2012/095247 (Unilever) or WO 2005/051797 (Tetley). Such as spherical or hemispherical leaching packets, and in WO 95/01907 (Unilever), WO 2004/033303 (IMA SPA) or WO 2002/004169 (Unilever) There are tetrahedral shaped leaching packets as described.

  The deployable leach packet preferably has a first geometry in its sustained compression state and a second geometry in its deployment state. The second geometric shape can be an expansion of the first geometric shape, but the first and second geometric shapes are preferably different. In other words, the leaching packet preferably has a specific geometry in a continuously compressed state and is converted to an unfolded state with a different geometry.

Deployable leaching packet has a volume V _C of a persistent compressed state, a volume V _E in the deployed state. In order to achieve a significant reduction in the packaging space occupied by each compression leaching packet without affecting leaching performance, a significant increase in volume is achieved when the leaching packet is unfolded from its sustained compression state when water is added. Occurs when converting to. By way of example, _VE is preferably at least 2V _C , more preferably at least 2.5V _C , and most preferably at least 3V _C. The deployable leach packet can be efficiently converted from its sustained compression state to its deployed state upon addition of water. As an example, _VE is preferably 10 V _C or less, more preferably 8 V _C or less, and most preferably 6 V _C or less.

  The deployable leach packet of the present invention can be made from any suitable material. Nonwoven materials are particularly preferred because these materials typically have a relatively small “memory” in the fibers and are therefore easily converted from a compressed state to an unfolded state upon addition of water. Non-limiting examples of nonwoven materials were made with continuous filaments (eg PET, PLA, PP) and wet nonwoven materials (eg cellulose / polymer blends containing cellulose and polymers such as PP, PE or PLA). There are non-woven materials.

  In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a package comprising a plurality of deployable infusion packets according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  As described above, the geometry of a deployable leach packet that is in a sustained compression state determines how efficiently such multiple packets can be packaged. Nevertheless, the leaching packets of the present invention require less containment space in the compressed state than their deployed state, regardless of the particular geometry selected.

  The configuration of the package is not limited. For cost reasons, the selected package is preferably not overly complex to manufacture. From the viewpoint of simplification, the package is preferably a tube or a carton. A further advantage of such a packaging solution is that the packaged product requires a small amount of storage space in the consumer's home. In fact, the secondary packaging is preferably small enough so that the infusion packet can be conveniently carried by the consumer or kept in the workplace.

  Examples of such tubular packages are cardboard, plastic or metal tubes with a suitably shaped cross section. For example, if the deployable infusion packet has a triangular cross-section in the compressed configuration, a hollow tube having a triangular cross-section can efficiently package a plurality of such infusion packets. It is also envisioned that the tubular package can be formed around a compressed brew packet. For example, a plurality of compressed leaching packets may be stacked and packaged in a cylinder with a sheet of flexible packaging material (eg, paper or plastic) wrapped circumferentially around the laminated leaching packets, It can be sealed where the ends meet (ie, the longitudinal direction such that the seal is essentially parallel to the length (L) of the compressed brew packet).

  In a preferred embodiment, the package is a tube and the first geometric shape is a cylinder (ie, the deployable leach packet has an essentially disk-shaped cylinder shape in a sustained compression state).

  The tube need not have the same cross section as the deployable leach packet. Thus, in embodiments where the package is a tube and the first geometric shape is a cylinder, the tube can have a circular or elliptical cross section, and therefore fits the cross section of the first geometric shape. .

  Alternatively, the tube may have a cross section that does not match the cross section of the first geometric shape. In such an embodiment, the space between the brewing packet and the tube would facilitate the removal of the brewing packet from the carton (by allowing the consumer to easily grip the curved surface of the brewing packet). . A tube having a square or rectangular cross section is particularly preferred. This is because such a carton is easily manufactured.

  It will be appreciated that similar effects can be achieved with other shapes of brewing packets. For example, a deployable leach packet whose first geometric shape is a hexagonal prism can be packaged in a tube or the like having a square cross section.

  As mentioned above, the secondary packaging can be a carton. The tubular configuration described above relates to a packaging solution for a stack of compressed leaching packets. In contrast, a carton provides a solution for packaging layers or rows of compressed leaching packets (each layer or row includes two or more compressed leached packets). Regardless of the first geometry of such a brewing packet, it is possible to wrap the compressed brewing packet in this way. For maximum packaging efficiency, it is preferred that the first geometric shapes fit together. Nevertheless, this is not an essential requirement, and shapes that do not fit together can also be packaged more efficiently than conventional uncompressed leaching packets. In addition, the space between the rows of compressed leaching packets that have shapes that do not fit together can facilitate convenient removal of individual leaching packets from the carton by the consumer.

  In a preferred embodiment, the package is a carton and the first geometric shape is a square or rectangular prism (ie, the deployable leach packet is a prismatic shape having a square or rectangular cross-section in a sustained compression state. Have).

  In a further preferred embodiment, the package is a carton and the first geometric shape is a cylinder (i.e., the deployable leach packet is essentially disk-shaped in a sustained compression state and has a cylindrical shape. Have). A carton having a square or rectangular cross section is particularly preferred. This is because such a carton is easily manufactured. The space between the row of leaching packets and the carton is believed to facilitate removal of the brewing packet from the carton (by allowing the consumer to easily grip the curved surface of the brewing packet).

  In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a deployable leach packet according to the first aspect of the invention.

In particular, the invention relates to a method comprising the following steps:
(A) providing a deployment leaching packet;
(B) inserting a leaching packet into the die;
(C) pressurizing the leaching packet to convert it into a continuously compressed state;

  As already discussed, the present invention contemplates compressing conventional brewed packets to achieve a configuration where the brewed packets are in a persistently compressed state. Accordingly, the brewing packet provided in step (a) is preferably a conventional brewing packet and can be manufactured by any known method. Tetrahedral leaching packets are particularly preferred.

  The brewing packet provided in step (a) is inserted into the die. The die is preferably made of metal, for example, conveniently made of steel.

  The pressure applied in step (c) is preferably 3000-4200 kPa, more preferably 3100-4100 kPa. Factors that affect proper pressure include the type of material from which the leaching packet is made and the size / weight of the brewing packet. The pressure applied in step (c) is typically high when a greater degree of compression is desired and lower when a smaller degree of compression is desired.

  The pressure is preferably applied via a piston that fits into the die. The piston is preferably made of metal, for example aluminum. The die and piston are preferably made of different metals.

  It is understood that the amount of leachable material contained within the leach packet has a given volume (eg, the volume occupied by 3 g of leachable material is greater than the volume occupied by leachable material 2 g). As a general rule, the more leachable material contained within the leach packet, the greater the volume occupied by the leachable material. Thus, a leaching packet that includes a greater amount of leachable material is typically compressed to a lesser extent than a leaching packet that includes a smaller amount of leachable material.

  In a further aspect, the invention relates to a deployable infusion packet according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the deployable infusion packet can be obtained by the method of the third aspect of the invention. In other words, the leaching packet is in a continuously compressed state in the absence of water, is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water, and a deployable leached packet can be obtained by a method comprising the following steps: Possible: (a) providing a brewed packet in an unfolded state; (b) inserting the brewed packet into a die; and (c) pressurizing the brewed packet to convert it into a continuously compressed state.

  By way of example, the present invention will be described with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a deployable brewing packet in a continuously compressed state. FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the deployable leach packet of FIG. 1a in a deployed state. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compressed leaching packet according to the present invention placed in a container ready for extraction. 2b is a diagram of the brewing packet of FIG. 2a after water has been added to the container to prepare a beverage. It is a perspective view which shows arrangement | positioning of a some compression leaching packet. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a package including a plurality of compressed leaching packets. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a package including a plurality of compressed leaching packets. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a possible shape of a continuously compressed state of a deployable leach bag according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a possible shape of a continuously compressed state of a deployable leach bag according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a possible shape of a continuously compressed state of a deployable leach bag according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a possible shape of a continuously compressed state of a deployable leach bag according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the brewing packet which has a hemispherical deployment state. It is a perspective view of the brewing packet which has the expansion | deployment state of a cube. It is a perspective view which shows the carton containing a some compression leaching packet. Fig. 4 illustrates various configurations of multiple compressed leaching packets. Fig. 4 illustrates various configurations of multiple compressed leaching packets. It is a perspective view which shows the carton containing a some compression leaching packet.

  FIG. 1a shows a deployable leach packet according to the present invention in a continuously compressed state. The compressed brewing packet (1) is cylindrical and has a circular cross section. In this configuration, the leaching packet is a circular first surface (2) and a circular second surface (opposite the first surface) associated along the length (L) by the curved surface (4). And therefore not visible in FIG. 1a). The cross section along the length (L) is constant and has the same shape as the first and second surfaces (ie circular). In the illustrated embodiment, the width (W) is the diameter of the circular cross section.

  FIG. 1b shows the brew packet of FIG. 1a in its deployed state. The unfolded exudation packet (5) has a three-dimensional tetrahedral shape. Thus, the leaching packet has a different form in its expanded state than it has in its compressed state. The three-dimensional deployed state allows the leachable material (6) to provide room for movement within the leach packet (5), which is believed to improve leaching performance.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the conversion of a deployable leach packet from a continuously compressed state to a deployed state according to the present invention. This conversion occurs under the conditions typically used by consumers to prepare leachate from conventional leach packets.

FIG. 2a shows a leaching packet before the start of extraction. The compressed leaching packet (1) is placed in a container (7) (in this case a mug) suitable for receiving a certain amount of hot water. In order to prepare a beverage from the compressed brew packet, the consumer adds hot water to the container. The leaching packet is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water (8). The volume of water used by consumers to prepare beverages from conventional brewing packets varies and is not constant depending on form. As an example, preferably, although the volume of water to be converted into the deployed state is not so large from the persistent compressed state leaching packet, it will be understood greater than the volume typically V _E (100 ml of water is usually sufficient). FIG. 2b shows a leaching packet during extraction. The leaching packet is in its unfolded state (5) and has a three-dimensional tetrahedral shape.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the compressed leaching packet of the present invention can be conveniently packaged.

  FIG. 3a shows a plurality of compressed leaching packets (1) stacked on top of each other. Since the brewed packet has a regular shape in the compressed state, this arrangement results in a configuration with a constant cross-section (in this case a circular cross-section).

  FIG. 3b shows a possible way of packaging a plurality of compressed leaching packets (1). The stack of deployable leach packets is held together by a secondary package (9). In FIG. 3b, this secondary wrap (9) is tubular, extends around the brewing packet in the circumferential direction and is sealed where the ends meet (eg formed of paper or plastic). Take a form.

  FIG. 3c shows another method of packaging a plurality of compressed leaching packets (1). In FIG. 3c, the secondary package (9) is a cardboard tube having a square cross section. This carton is in the form of a square prism. The compressed leaching packet does not fill the full carton volume, but the packaging efficiency is still improved (ie, a carton designed to accommodate an equivalent number of conventional leaching packets with a deployed configuration) Will have a fairly large volume).

  Although not shown, it is understood that many more secondary packaging configurations (eg, cardboard or plastic tubes, etc.) are possible.

  The shape of the deployable leach packet in its continuously compressed state may be prismatic. FIG. 4 shows a possible prismatic shape.

  In FIG. 4a, the compressed leach packet has the form of a triangular prism. In this configuration, the first and second surfaces of the leaching packet are triangular and associated along the length (L) by three rectangular connecting surfaces (11) separated from each other by three joint ends (12). It is done. In this embodiment, the width (W) is the distance between two adjacent vertices of the triangular cross section.

  In FIG. 4b, the compressed leaching packet is a square prism. In this configuration, the first and second surfaces of the leaching packet are square and are associated along the length (L) by four rectangular connection surfaces (11) separated from each other by four connection ends (12). It is done. In this embodiment, the width (W) is a diagonal of a square cross section.

  Figures 4c and 4d show two possible hexagonal column configurations of the compressed leach packet. In both cases, the first and second surfaces of the leaching packet are hexagonal and along the length (L) by six rectangular connection surfaces (11) separated from each other by six connection ends (12). Associated. The compression leaching packet of FIG. 4c has a convex hexagonal cross section, while the compression leaching packet of FIG. 4d has an L-shaped concave hexagonal cross section.

  The shape of the deployable leach packet in the unfolded state is not limited and may be any geometric shape. FIG. 5 shows some possible configurations.

  In FIG. 5a, the unfolded exudation packet (5) has a three-dimensional hemispherical shape, and in FIG. 5b it has a cubic shape in the unfolded form.

  It will be appreciated that there is no specific connection between the shape of the deployable leach packet in the compressed state and the deployed shape. In particular, a leaching packet having any one of the deployed shapes shown in FIGS. 1b, 5a and 5b is compressed to have any one of the configurations shown in FIGS. 1a, 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d. Can be done.

  The shape of the compressed leaching packet can be used as a code to help the consumer identify the appropriate product. For example, certain products, such as green tea, black tea, fruit and herbal exudates, are often sold by certain manufacturers. Traditionally, each product of this type uses a leaching packet (eg, tetrahedron) of the same shape. Each type of product is sold in a separate package (eg, a carton containing a certain number of brewing packets), and the information provided on the package identifies a particular product type. The present invention allows each such product to have a variety of shapes in a sustained compression state (note that it maintains a common shape when deployed). For example, a leaching packet containing black tea can have a cylindrical shape, while a green tea containing one can have a hexagonal column shape, and so on. In this way, the consumer can visually identify each such product even if the compressed brew packet is removed from the sold package.

  FIG. 6 shows a possible way of wrapping multiple compressed leaching packets. In this figure, a plurality of compressed leaching packets (1) are arranged inside a cardboard carton (15). The square cross section of the brewing packet (1) means that they fit together, so that the interior space in the carton is used very efficiently.

  FIG. 7 shows different configurations of multiple compressed leaching packets. FIG. 7a shows a plurality of compressed leaching packets (1) having a hexagonal cross section, one stacked on top of the other. The regular shape of these leaching packets in the compressed state means that the laminate of leaching packets has a constant cross section. A stack of deployable leach packets can be packaged to maintain this arrangement (eg, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3b).

  FIG. 7b shows another arrangement of the compressed leaching packet (1) having a hexagonal cross section. In this arrangement, the compressed leach packets are arranged in a single layer. The regular hexagonal cross section of the brewing packet (1) means that they are snug. The layers of deployable leach packets can be packaged to maintain this arrangement (eg, by packaging them in a cardboard carton).

  FIG. 8 shows a possible way of wrapping multiple compressed leaching packets. In this figure, a plurality of compressed leaching packets (1) are arranged inside a cardboard carton (15). The circular cross section of the brewing packet (1) means that they are not snug. Nevertheless, the compressed leach packets are still very efficiently packaged, while the small space around the compressed leach packets allows consumers to grasp individual curves by grabbing the curved surface. Packets can be easily taken out.

  Although not shown, it is understood that the final packaging arrangement can include multiple layers of compressed brew packets. Indeed, it is also envisaged that each layer of the brewed packet has a different shape in a compressed configuration. For example, the first layer can consist of a leaching packet having a hexagonal cross section and the second layer can be a leaching packet having a square cross section.

Example A commercially available PG chip pyramid tea bag (bag weight of about 2.9 g) was prepared. The shape of the tea bag in the unfolded state was essentially a tetrahedron (side length of about 65 mm). The volume of the tea bag in the unfolded state (V _E ) was about 32365 mm ³ .

Insert the tea bag into a steel die with the shape of a hollow cylinder and apply a pressure of 500 psi (about 3447 kPa) through an aluminum piston that slides in the cylinder die to compress the tea bag in a continuous compression state. Converted to. The shape of this tea bag in a continuously compressed state was essentially a cylinder (having a circular cross section). The width (W) of the compressed cylindrical shape of the tea bag was about 34 mm, and the length (L) was about 7.5 mm. The volume (V _C ) of the tea bag in continuous compression was about 6809 mm ³ .

  The continuously compressed tea bag was placed in an empty cup and 200 ml of warm water was added. The tea bag was converted into a deployed form in a few seconds. In addition, this conversion caused the tea bag to “roll around”. This movement facilitates rapid extraction of the tea leaves contained within the tea bag and does not require the tea bag to be stirred or agitated.

  For comparison, an uncompressed commercial PG chip pyramid tea bag (bag weight about 2.9 g) was placed in an empty cup and 200 ml of warm water was added. The addition of water caused a temporary flattening of the tea bag. Furthermore, once the water addition was complete, the tea bag floated, but it did not "roll around" and remained essentially stationary during extraction. The lack of movement meant that the tea leaves contained in the tea bag were not quickly extracted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Compressed leaching packet 2 1st surface 4 Curved surface 5 Unfolded leaching packet 6 Leachable material 7 Container 8 Water 9 Secondary packaging 11 Connection surface 12 Connection end 15 Carton

Claims (15)

  A deployable leach packet that is in a continuously compressed state in the absence of water and is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water. Leaching packet has a volume _{V C} in continuous compression, have a volume _{V E} in the deployed state, _{V E} is 10V _C from 2V _C, deployable infusion packet according to claim 1.   The infusion packet has a first geometry in its sustained compression state and a second geometry in its deployed state, wherein the first and second geometry are different. Item 3. The deployable exudation packet according to Item 1 or 2.   4. The deployable leach packet of claim 3, wherein the first geometric shape is a cylinder.   4. The deployable infusion packet according to claim 3, wherein the first geometric shape is a prism.   6. The deployable infusion packet according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second geometric shape is a sphere, hemisphere, tetrahedron or pyramid.   7. The deployable leach packet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the leach packet is made from a nonwoven material.   A package comprising a plurality of deployable leachable packets according to any one of claims 1-7.   The package of claim 8, which is a tube or carton.   The package of claim 9, wherein the package is a tube and the first geometric shape is a cylinder.   The package of claim 9, wherein the package is a carton and the first geometric shape is a square or rectangular prism.   The package of claim 9, wherein the package is a carton and the first geometric shape is a cylinder. (A) providing a deployment leaching packet;
(B) inserting a leaching packet into the die;
The method of producing a deployable leachable packet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the step of: (c) pressurizing the leachable packet to convert it into a continuously compressed state.   14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the pressure applied in step (c) is from 3000 to 4200 kPa. A deployable leach packet, which can be obtained by a method comprising the following steps, wherein the leach packet is in a continuously compressed state in the absence of water and is converted to a deployed state in the presence of water:
(A) providing a deployment leaching packet;
(B) inserting a leaching packet into the die;
(C) pressurizing the leaching packet to convert it into a continuously compressed state;

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